June 6, 2006

 

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

 

-- Ephesians 5:3-4

 

It’s impossible to be a man or woman of honor unless you heed the call to moral purity and make a commitment to stay sexually pure.

 

And while many followers of Christ aren’t engaged in adultery or in overt acts of sexual immorality, many times we often settle for less than holiness when it comes to purity of mind, purity of heart, and purity of body.

 

Remember, your private world is your real world with God! And if you want to enjoy the fellowship and power of God, this is an area you must radically deal with, according to the Scripture.

 

And one blueprint to perfect holiness in your life is found in the acronym PURE:

 

Prepare for spiritual attack. No one is above this, including me and including you! First Corinthians 10:12 says, “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”

 

Unfasten defiling associations. Biblical separation is positive. It’s not simply not doing something or isolating yourself from the world. It means we turn from sin and turn to God and receive His power for living.

 

Remember the consequences of fatal attractions. Yes, as believers, Christ has taken our sin. But our God is a God of holiness and purity and righteousness. Sexual sin can create such a bondage in our life.

 

Engage in positive spiritual activities. It’s not just no, no, no, no, no! But rather if you really want to defeat the power of sin in your life, then engage in positive spiritual activities like Bible reading, prayer, and fellowship with other believers.

 

IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO BE A PERSON OF HONOR UNLESS YOU MAKE A COMMITMENT TO SEXUAL PURITY.